Remote controlled model vehicle

ABSTRACT

A model vehicle is disclosed wherein a front portion or a rear portion of a chassis may be selectively raised and lowered, the vehicle also capable of being driven and steered using a remote transmitter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/609,985 filed Sep. 15, 2004, hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a model vehicle and more particularly to amodel vehicle wherein a front or rear of a chassis may be selectivelyraised and lowered, and driven and steered using a remote control.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art includes model cars and other similar vehicle replicashaving wheels which may be driven or the bodies may be selectivelyraised and lowered under the control of a manually actuated electricmotor. Vehicles of the above referred type are of considerable interestto children from ages of five years and up.

It is desirable to produce a model vehicle which can be selectivelydriven forwardly and rearwardly; steered; and raised or lowered inrespect of the wheels and supporting surface by remote control.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a model vehicle which can beselectively driven forwardly and rearwardly; steered; and raised orlowered in respect of the wheels and supporting surface by remotecontrol has surprisingly been discovered.

In one embodiment, the model vehicle comprises a chassis; a pivotingmember pivotally mounted to the chassis; a first set of ground engagingwheels attached to the pivoting member; means for imparting a pivotalmovement of the pivoting member in respect of the chassis to cause araising and lowering of at least a portion of the chassis; means formoving the first set of wheels about respective vertical axes to effecta steering of the vehicle; a second set of ground engaging wheelsmounted to the chassis in spaced relation from the first set of wheels;and means for moving the second set of wheels about a respectivehorizontal axis to cause a driving motion of the vehicle.

In another embodiment, the model vehicle comprises a chassis; a pivotingmember pivotally mounted to the chassis; a first set of ground engagingwheels attached to the pivoting member; means for imparting a pivotalmovement of the pivoting member in respect of the chassis to cause araising and lowering of at least a portion of the chassis; means forrotating the first set of wheels about respective vertical axes toeffect a steering of the vehicle; a second set of ground engaging wheelsmounted to the chassis in spaced relation from the first set of wheels;means for rotating the second set of wheels about a respectivehorizontal axis to cause a driving motion of the vehicle; and acontroller for selectively controlling the means for imparting a pivotalmovement, the means for rotating the first set of wheels, and the meansfor rotating the second set of wheels.

In another embodiment, the model vehicle comprises a chassis; a yokepivotally mounted to the chassis and having a pair of spaced apart armsand a cross-piece interconnecting the arms; at least one ground engagingwheel attached to the arms of the yoke; a first electric drive motor forimparting a pivotal movement of the yoke in respect of the chassis tocause a raising and lowering of at least a portion of the chassis; asecond electric drive motor for rotating the at least one groundengaging wheel about a vertical axis to effect a steering of thevehicle; at least one ground engaging wheel mounted to the chassis inspaced relation from the at least one ground engaging wheel attached tothe arms of the yoke, said at least one ground engaging wheel mounted tothe chassis including a third electric drive motor to cause a rotationthereof about a horizontal axis to cause a driving motion of thevehicle; a source of electrical energy for the electric drive motors;and a remote transmitter for transmitting signals to effect selectiveenergization of the electric drive motors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, willbecome readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the followingdetailed description of a preferred embodiment when considered in thelight of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded side elevational view of a model vehicleincorporating the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the chassis of the model vehicleillustrated in FIG. 1 with portions broken-away to more clearlyillustrate the structure with the front of the associated chassis in alifted or elevated position;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the chassis of the model vehicleillustrated in FIG. 2 with portions broken-away for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the chassis illustrated in FIG.3 with the wheels of the vehicle turned to steer the motion of thevehicle in a clockwise direction;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the chassis assembly withelements removed to illustrate the various components thereof;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of still another view of thechassis assembly illustrated in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a remote transmitter for controlling theoperation of the vehicle illustrated in FIGS. 1-6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description and appended drawings describe andillustrate various exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to makeand use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention in any manner.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a model vehicleincorporating the features of the invention including a mechanism foreffecting the forward and rearward motion of the vehicle; a steeringmotion of the front wheels; and a hopping action of the front portion ofthe vehicle.

More specifically, there is shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, a model vehiclegenerally indicated by reference numeral 10 including a body assembly12, ground engaging front wheels 14, 14′; ground engaging rear wheels16, 16′, a source of electrical energy 18 including batteries; and threeseparately actuated electric drive motors 20, 22, 24. It is understoodthat other drive mechanisms could be used without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention.

The body assembly 12 includes a body shell 30, which may be a replica ofan existing well known vehicle, and a chassis 32 formed to replicate theframe, suspension system and certain other features of the running gear.The body shell 30 and the chassis 32 may be typically formed of anysuitable material such as a plastic material molded to genuinelyrepresent the commercial vehicle. The plastic components may be gluedtogether and/or assembled by suitable threaded fasteners.

The suspension of the vehicle 10 is comprised of a front axle assemblyand a rear axle assembly. The front axle assembly includes a yoke orpivoting member 34. The yoke 34 has a pair of spaced apart arms 36, 36′pivotally mounted at pivots 38, 38′ to the chassis 32. The outermostends of the arms 36, 36′ are interconnected by a cross-piece 40 asspecifically illustrated in FIG. 4. The outermost ends of the arms 36,36′ pivotally receive the front wheel axle assemblies 42, 42′,respectively. The front wheel axle assemblies 42, 42′ include the groundengaging wheels 14, 14′, respectively. A tie rod 44 pivotallyinterconnects the front wheel axle assemblies 42, 42′. The tie rod 44includes a depending pair of spaced apart camming surfaces 46, 46′ whichface each other. The space between the camming surfaces 46, 46′ receivesa cam member 48 affixed to a drive shaft of the first electric drivemotor 20.

The drive motor 20 is reversible to effect selective steering of thefront wheels 14, 14′ through the respective axle assemblies 42, 42′. Itwill be noted that pivotal movement of the front wheel assemblies isbrought about by the rotation of the camming member 48 within the spacebetween the surfaces 46, 46′ causing the tie rod 44 to move in one orthe other direction. The tie bar 44 is constantly biased to the centerpoint by a set of spring biased arms 50, 50′. The arms 50, 50′ arebiased to urge the steering wheels 14, 14′ to steer the vehicle along astraight path.

The innermost end of the arm 36 of the yoke 34 is provided with aninverted camming surface 52 adapted to be contacted by a cam member 54affixed to the drive shaft of the second electric drive motor 22.Rotation of the cam member 54 will cause the yoke 34 to pivot about thepivots 38, 38′ to effect an up and down hopping motion of the front ofthe body shell 32 in respect of the front wheels 14, 14′, as clearlyillustrated in FIG. 2.

A rear axle assembly rotatably supports to the rear of the chassis 32and includes a rear axle 58, rear ground engaging wheels 16, 16″, thethird electric drive motor 24, and a gear train 64 interconnecting thedrive motor 24 to the wheels 16, 16′.

The source of electrical energy 18 is provided and typically includesbatteries with sufficient energy to cause the energization of theelectric drive motors 20, 22, and 24 through suitable electricalconductors. The electric drive motors 20, 22, and 24 are selectivelyenergized through integral receivers upon receiving an energizing signalfrom a remote transmitter 70 as illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 illustrates the transmitter 70 which includes switches 72, 74,and 76 to effect drive motions, steering, and hopping motion,respectively, for the vehicle body assembly 12. An on/off switch 78 isprovided to actuate or inactuate the system.

The invention is more easily comprehended by reference to specificembodiments recited hereinabove which are representative of theinvention. It must be understood, however, that the specific embodimentsare provided only for the purpose of illustration, and that theinvention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustratedwithout departing from its spirit and scope.

1. A model vehicle comprising: a chassis; a pivoting member pivotallymounted to said chassis; a first set of ground engaging wheels attachedto said pivoting member; means for imparting a pivotal movement of saidpivoting member in respect of said chassis to cause a raising andlowering of at least a portion of said chassis; means for moving saidfirst set of wheels about respective vertical axes to effect a steeringof the vehicle; a second set of ground engaging wheels mounted to saidchassis in spaced relation from said first set of wheels; and means formoving said second set of wheels about a respective horizontal axis tocause a driving motion of the vehicle.
 2. The vehicle according to claim1, further comprising a source of electrical energy.
 3. The vehicleaccording to claim 2, further comprising a controller for selectivelycontrolling said means for imparting a pivotal movement, said means formoving said first set of wheels, and said means for moving said secondset of wheels.
 4. The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein saidcontroller is a wireless remote transmitter.
 5. The vehicle according toclaim 1, wherein said pivoting member is a yoke.
 6. The vehicleaccording to claim 5, wherein the yoke includes a pair of spaced apartarms.
 7. The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein said first set ofground engaging wheels are mounted to respected ones of the arms of theyoke.
 8. The vehicle according to claim 7, further comprising a camsurface disposed on the yoke.
 9. The vehicle according to claim 2,wherein said means for imparting a pivotal movement includes a firstelectric drive motor.
 10. The vehicle according to claim 9, wherein saidpivoting member is a yoke having a cam surface disposed thereon, thefirst electric drive motor operably engaging the cam surface of the yoketo cause pivotal movement of the yoke.
 11. The vehicle according toclaim 2, wherein said means for moving said first set of wheels includesa second electric drive motor.
 12. The vehicle according to claim 2,wherein said means for moving said second set of wheels includes a thirdelectric drive motor.
 13. A remote controlled model vehicle comprising:a chassis; a pivoting member pivotally mounted to said chassis; a firstset of ground engaging wheels attached to said pivoting member; meansfor imparting a pivotal movement of said pivoting member in respect ofsaid chassis to cause a raising and lowering of at least a portion ofsaid chassis; means for rotating said first set of wheels aboutrespective vertical axes to effect a steering of the vehicle; a secondset of ground engaging wheels mounted to said chassis in spaced relationfrom said first set of wheels; means for rotating said second set ofwheels about a respective horizontal axis to cause a driving motion ofthe vehicle; and a controller for selectively controlling said means forimparting a pivotal movement, said means for rotating said first set ofwheels, and said means for rotating said second set of wheels.
 14. Thevehicle according to claim 13, wherein said controller is a wirelesstransmitter.
 15. The vehicle according to claim 13, further comprising asource of electrical energy.
 16. The vehicle according to claim 13,wherein said pivoting member is a yoke including a pair of spaced apartarms and a cam surface, wherein said first set of ground engaging wheelsare mounted to respected ones of the arms of the yoke.
 17. The vehicleaccording to claim 16, wherein said means for imparting a pivotalmovement includes a first electric drive motor operably engaging the camsurface of the yoke to cause pivotal movement of the yoke.
 18. Thevehicle according to claim 13, wherein said means for rotating saidfirst set of wheels includes a second electric drive motor.
 19. Thevehicle according to claim 13, wherein said means for rotating saidsecond set of wheels includes a third electric drive motor.
 20. A remotecontrolled model vehicle comprising: a chassis; a yoke pivotally mountedto said chassis and having a pair of spaced apart arms and a cross-pieceinterconnecting the arms; at least one ground engaging wheel attached tothe arms of said yoke; a first electric drive motor for imparting apivotal movement of said yoke in respect of said chassis to cause araising and lowering of at least a portion of said chassis; a secondelectric drive motor for rotating said at least one ground engagingwheel about a vertical axis to effect a steering of the vehicle; atleast one ground engaging wheel mounted to said chassis in spacedrelation from said at least one ground engaging wheel attached to thearms of said yoke, said at least one ground engaging wheel mounted tosaid chassis including a third electric drive motor to cause a rotationthereof about a horizontal axis to cause a driving motion of thevehicle; a source of electrical energy for said electric drive motors;and a remote transmitter for transmitting signals to effect selectiveenergization of said electric drive motors.